From the gasoline that helps your family take vacations to the advanced medical equipment at your community hospital, CITGO is there at every turn.
It’s amazing the difference petroleum-based products make in our everyday lives. Based in Houston, Texas, CITGO is a refiner and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. In addition to these products, there’s probably a CITGO in your neighborhood, a convenient place to fill up with gas and grab a quick snack.
The story of CITGO Petroleum Corporation as an enduring American success story began back in 1910 when pioneer oilman, Henry L. Doherty, created the Cities Service Company.
When Cities Service determined that it needed to change its marketing brand, it introduced the name CITGO in 1965, retaining the first syllable of its long-standing name and ending with "GO" to imply power, energy and progressiveness. The now familiar and enduring CITGO “trimark” logo was born.
Occidental Petroleum bought Cities Service in 1982, and CITGO was incorporated as a wholly owned refining, marketing and transportation subsidiary in the spring of the following year. Then, in August, 1983, CITGO was sold to The Southland Corporation to provide an assured supply of gasoline to Southland’s 7-Eleven convenience store chain.
In September, 1986, Southland sold a 50 percent interest in CITGO to Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., (PDVSA), the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. PDVSA acquired the remaining half of CITGO in January, 1990 and the company is owned by PDV America, Inc., an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary. With a secure and ample supply of crude oil, CITGO quickly became a major force in the energy arena.
Since 1985, CITGO has sold its various products through independent marketers. Our relationship with these individuals is really what makes CITGO different from other petroleum companies.
Welcome to CITGO.
CITGO Petroleum Corporation was officially born in the spring of 1983, but the company traces its heritage back to the early 1900s and a pioneer oilman named Henry L. Doherty. Learn more about the fascinating history behind CITGO.
London has Big Ben, Paris has the Eiffel Tower. Boston has the CITGO sign. Discover the history behind this cultural landmark.
